Page 32 of Whirlwind

“You can see it on radar, too!” Finley chirps, adding to the excitement growing between the three of us.

This could really be it. If a tornado touches down like I think it will, we could launch a rocket successfully and get data from both the base and the heart of the tornado on our first day out.

Joey’s phone rings in the back, and he picks it up, putting it on speaker. “What’ve you got for us, Hawk-man?”

“Ezra got some good intel from locals on social media,” Hawk says over the speaker. “If we stay on this course, I think we’ll have a much better view of the supercell.”

As he speaks, my eyes catch an elongated cloud, an indicator of a developing tornado. “We got a little cigarette cloud!” I call, the level of my voice rising as the thrill of the chase builds.

Hawk continues. “If Finley agrees, turn right up here. I think the storm is going to line up on this north/south boundary.”

I glance at Finley as I keep driving, Joey’s eyes on her now, too. I see her nerves spike at being put on the spot. She leans forward in her seat to watch the storm through the windshield while nibbling on her bottom lip.

Normally, Finley is not so reserved with her opinions and thoughts, which is why I put her in the spotter and navigator position to begin with. I noticed she hesitated when I asked her which storm we should chase before, too. I’d thought it was because I called her Ms. Buckley and she’d been thrown, but maybe not.

Her teeth dig into her bottom lip harder, and the urge to reach across the seat and soothe the skin is strong. But I hold the wheel, wishing I could sit on my hands. Instead, I use my words.

“Take a look at the radar for the hook echo.” I smile softly, using what I’d call my professor tone. Encouraging, friendly. “Then watch for the visual cues the storm is giving you.”

Finley’s shoulders tense, and for a moment, I think she’s angry at my help. Then she nods and studies the radar before looking back out at the storm.

“The storm we’re currently chasing still has good rotation on it. I think if we go all the way east to Red Rock Junction, we can keep this storm as well as the other cells in play if this one fizzles. That way, we eliminate all risk.”

My smile is soft as pride swells in my chest. The desire to praise her sparks in me, but Joey beats me to it. “Fuck yeah!” Joey shouts. “I like the way you think, Fin.”

I clear my throat, the wordsI like it, tooon the tip of my tongue, but I keep my mouth shut and hit the gas, taking Finley’s direction.

Chapter twelve

Finley

Ryker’s help just nowand Joey’s words of praise only do so much to quell the nervous feeling in my stomach.

While it felt nice to have the comfort of my professor’s words, making things more normal between us like they were before yesterday, the weight of my new camera hangs heavy around my neck. Since he gave it to me, my brain hasn’t stopped spinning an endless spiral. It’s coming across as nervousness over the chase alone—which is partially true; there is a natural nervousness to being here, living out a longtime dream of mine—but that’s not all it is.

I’m questioning everything about why I’m here and even how well I’ve done in Ryker’s classes this last year, wondering if my grades were influenced by our blurred-line relationship. Did Ryker only ask me on this chase because he’s attracted to me? I didn’t exactly question it before, but now, it’s all I can think about. Especially with his gift hanging around my neck.

God, he wouldn’t do that, would he?

I grit my teeth, wishing I would’ve stopped myself from crossing that line yesterday, truly understanding Ryker’s regret in a way I didn’t allow myself to think about before because I was hurt and angry.

Had he swept me up into his arms afterward and said he wanted to be with me like we’re in some fairytale, what would that have looked like? Would he be touching me around the guys? Told them we were seeing each other? What would theteam think of me then? I hate that I’m thinking about this—if I was a man, I don’t think I would be.

I turn my head to gaze out the window in an attempt to collect myself as Ryker speeds toward the storm. As I stare at the supercell, the dark clouds rotating in the distance, I think of all the hard work and sacrifice it’s taken for me to be here. The long hours working shitty jobs and late nights chasing storms to take photos so I could not only pay for school but simply pay to exist.

I can hear Jake telling me to “quit spiraling and know my worth,” but no matter what I say to myself, I can’t stop the nagging feeling that maybe this has all been a lie. That I’ve ruined everything by letting my ovaries fog my brain with stupid hormones and feelings.

“You okay, Fin-Fin?” Joey asks, his toothy grin from the thrill of the chase now fading.

I force a smile, feeling the weight of Ryker’s gaze as his eyes flick between the road and the storm. I need to get it together and prove to myself and this team that I deserve to be here—not that the guys have given me any reason to think that I need to prove myself.

They did listen to me twice now and asked for my opinions. I can’t let that change. I need to let go of what happened between me and Ryker and be a fully functioning member of the team like I told myself I’d be this morning.

“Yeah, great.”

I must not be convincing because Joey doesn’t let up. “Do you get car sick?” He pops his arm through the seats like he kept doing on the drive down here then places his hand on my forehead as if being carsick would give me a fever. “T-Daddydoesdrive like a maniac.”

I push his hand away and shake my head. “No, I’m fine.”

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